Andrea Hewitt, Laurent Vidal Win Tri Series Wanaka

New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt and her French boyfriend Laurent Vidal proved too strong in Wanaka, taking out the women’s and men’s triathlon events in the lakeside town.

Coming back down from the New Zealand high-performance team’s altitude camp at nearby Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley, Hewitt belied her tired legs to outsprint Rachel Klamer of Holland.

The pair were part of a four-woman breakaway on the bike which included fellow New Zealander Debbie Tanner and Holland’s Danne Boterenbrood.

A strong onshore wind pushed up significant swells on Lake Wanaka, and Hewitt – who opted to swim without goggles – had problems picking out the buoy.

Despite that the Olympics-bound athlete looked comfortable on the bike and then was able to fend off Klamer up the finishing chute after the Dutchwoman worked hard to catch her on the run. Tanner came in third.

The men’s race featured a big breakaway of riders which included the strong New Zealand trio of Wanaka local Tony Dodds, Kris Gemmell and Ryan Sissons.

Read more: Stuff.co.nz